r\n. 

JAPAN 


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0oman’s  (0ork 


in  our 


Japan  Mission 


Woman’s  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 

Reformed  Church  in  America 

25  East  Twenty- second  Street,  New  York 


MISSIONARIES 


NORTH  JAPAN  MISSION 


Miss  Julia  Moulton 
Miss  Jennie  M.  Kuyper 


Ferris  Seminary,  178  Bluff,  Yokohama 


Miss  C.  Janet  Oltmans  ) 

Miss  M.  Leila  Winn,  Aomori. 

Mrs.  L.  J.  Shafer,  Aomori. 

Mrs.  M.  N.  Wyckoff,  Matsumoto. 
Mrs.  D.  C.  Ruigh  ^ 

Mrs.  Albert  Oltmans  ?-  Tokyo. 
Miss  Evelyn  Oltmans  ) 


SOUTH  JAPAN  MISSION 


TOKYO 


Miss  Sara  M.  Couch,  Nagasaki. 

Miss  Harriet  M.  Lansing,  Kagoshima. 
Miss  Hendrine  E.  Hospers,  Kagoshima. 


Miss  Jeane  Noordhoff 


Gakuin,  Shimonoseki. 


Miss  Jennie  A.  Pieters  I 
Mrs.  Albertus  Pieters,  Oita. 

Mrs.  H.  V.  S.  Peeke,  Saga. 

Mrs.  Anthony  Walvoord,  Nagasaki. 
Mrs.  S.  W.  Ryder,  Kurume. 


ON  FURLOUGH 


Mrs.  E.  S.  Booth 


Mrs.  W.  E.  Hoffsommer 


Mrs.  W.  G.  Hoekie 


Mrs.  Martha  B.  Norris, 

Dobbs  Ferry,  N.  Y., 

Foreign  Corresponding  Secretary  for  Japan. 


3 


NORTH  JAPAN  MISSION 


YOKOHAMA 


ANNUAL  REPORT  OF  THE  FERRIS  SEMINARY  FOR  THE  YEAR 
ENDING  DECEMBER  31,  1915 

(Established  1870) 


THE  STAFF. — Rev.  Eugene  S.  Booth,  Principal;  Mrs.  E.  S.  Booth, 
Assistant  Principal. 

Miss  Julia  Moulton,  Miss  Jennie  M.  Kuyper,  Miss  Janet  Oltmans, 
Miss  Kate  M.  Foster. 

Rev.  P.  T.  Iwasa,  Headmaster.  Mr.  I.  Kawakami,  Mr.  J.  Terada, 
Mr.  T.  Kusakabe,  Mr.  K.  Iijima,  Mr.  S.  Hayashi,  Miss  S.  Hayashi,  Miss 
M.  Sano,  Mrs.  C.  Shimada,  Miss  F.  Watanabe,  Miss  T.  Kawamura,  Miss 
F.  Hirose  and  Mrs.  H.  Hisauchi. 

At  the  forty-fifth  annual  commencement,  held  March  30,  1915, 
there  were  seventeen  graduates,  as  follows;  Two  from  the  Bible 
Course;  one,  Miss  Ogawa,  was  located  by  the  Mission  in  Tokyo;  the 
other,  Miss  Wada,  was  sent  to  Matsumoto  to  assist  Mrs.  Wyckoff;  one 
from  the  English  Normal,  a promising  student,  who  entered  the 
Middle  Class  of  the  Higher  Department;  fourteen  from  the  Honka,  or 
Grammar  Department,  five  of  whom  entered  the  Junior  Class  of  the 
Higher  Department. 

One  pupil  received  a certificate  for  proficiency  in  drawing;  two  for 
proficiency  in  calisthenics,  and  five  in  sewing.  Thirty-eight  pupils 
secured  the  Junior  Tonic  Sol-fa  certificate,  and  twenty  the  Elementary 
certificate. 

Governor  Ishihara  and  his  Secretary  honored  the  occasion,  and 
His  Excellency  distributed  the  certificates  to  the  graduates,  and  urged 
them  to  make  good  use  of  the  advantages  they  had  enjoyed  in  this 
school,  and  in  after  life  to  follow  the  excellent  precepts  that  had  been 
inculcated. 

The  number  of  new  pupils  entered  this  year  is  sixty-six.  The  total 
number  enrolled  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-three.  The  present 
number  is  two  hundred  and  twelve,  distributed  as  follows:  Prep.,  43; 
Grammar  Dept.,  140;  Eng.  Normal,  19;  Higher  Dept.,  10. 

A healthy  spiritual  condition  has  been  evinced  throughout  the 
year.  Sixteen  pupils  have  received  baptism,  which,  together  with  the 
thirty-seven  other  Christians,  makes  fifty-three,  or  25  per  cent  of  the 
pupils  are  striving  to  serve  our  Master. 


4 


DINING-ROOM  OF  FERRIS  SEMINARY, 


CHANGES  IN  THE  STAFF.- — In  July  Miss  Dick  and  Miss  McCloy 
retired.  In  September  Miss  Moulton  returned  from  furlough,  and  Miss 
Janet  Oltmans  joined  the  staff.  Mr.  Hoshiai  retired  early  in  the  year 
and  Mr.  Kawakami  has  taken  his  place.  In  July  Miss  Inouye  and 
Miss  Isobe  retired,  and  Miss  Hirose,  a graduate  of  some  years  ago, 
has  taken  the  place  of  the  latter,  and  Mrs.  Hisauchi,  also  a graduate 
of  several  years  ago,  has  taken  the  place  of  the  former. 

Miss  Sada  Hayashi  graduated  from  this  school  in  1894,  and  has 
taught  here  ever  since.  Twenty-one  years  of  faithful  service,  without 
a holiday.  When  this  fact  came  to  the  knowledge  of  an  American 
gentleman  and  his  wife,  who  were  visiting  the  school,  they  very  gen- 
erously placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  school  a sum  equal  to  a year’s 
salary,  with  the  understanding  that  Miss  Hayashi  be  given  a Sabbatical 
year.  It  was,  indeed,  a beautiful  recognition  of  long  and  faithful 
service,  which  it  is  a pleasure  to  record.  Miss  Hayashi  is  now  in  a 
quandary  to  know  in  what  way  to  spend  her  respite  from  school 
duties  to  the  greatest  advantage.  We  trust  she  will  be  led  to  do  what 
is  wisest  and  best.  She  came  very  near  a physical  breakdown  last 
spring,  so  that  the  opportunity  for  a rest  and  change  is  most  oppor- 
tune. 

The  event  of  the  year  was  the  Enthronement  of  His  Majesty  the 
Emperor  of  Japan  on  the  throne  of  His  Imperial  Ancestors,  on  No- 
vember 10th,  a function,  in  which  every  subject  of  the  Empire  took 
part.  The  schools  throughout  the  country  were  given  a holiday.  Our 
school  assembled  in  Van  Schaick  Hall  at  two  in  the  afternoon  and 
held  a service,  consisting  of  hymns,  reading  the  Scriptures,  prayer, 
address  by  the  Principal,  an  original  poem  by  a member  of  the  staff, 
singing  the  Enthronement  Anthem,  and  at  precisely  3.30  o’clock  all 
shouted  “Banzai”  three  times  in  succession.  On  the  platform  were 
two  Sakaki  trees,  Cleyera  japonica,  sacred  tree  of  the  Shinto,  deco- 
rated with  streamers  of  the  Japanese  conventional  five  colors,  sym- 
bolizing light,  and  the  paper  “Go-hei,”  symbolizing  righteousness, 
which  had  been  presented  to  the  school  by  one  of  the  local  news- 
papers. The  Sakaki  tree  is  the  symbol  of  purity,  as  its  leaves  are  used 
in  the  ceremonial  purification  of  the  Emperor,  before  he  enters  the 
Imperial  Mausoleum  at  Ise.  These  symbols  of  Purity,  Light  and 
Righteousness  constantly  recur  in  the  elaborate  ritual  during  the  en- 
thronement ceremonies.  In  fact,  the  Shinto  ritualists  were  busy  from 
the  early  spring,  when  the  rice  fields  where  the  rice  used  at  the 
function  should  be  grown  were  chosen  by  divination,  and  the  silk 
culturists  were  chosen,  and  all  participating  in  the  culture  of  the  rice 
and  the  production  of  the  silk,  to  the  weaving  and  making  of  the 
royal  garments,  were  ceremonially  purified,  and  specially  guarded. 
Indeed,  for  a month  before  the  appointed  time  for  the  enthronement 
every  city  village  and  hamlet  throughout  the  country  ordered  their 
inhabitants  to  clean  house  from  cellar  to  garret. 

The  Principal  took  for  his  theme  “The  significance  of  the  enthrone- 
ment ceremonies,”  and  attempted  to  show  that  behind  all  the  sym- 
bolism there  was  a fundamental  and  universal  truth,  the  acknowledg- 
ment of  a great  need  on  the  part  of  all  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest 


6 


in  the  empire,  pure,  enlightened  and  righteous  character,  and  that  the 
nation’s  true  greatness  depended  upon  all  its  people  attaining  to  such 
a character,  which  could  only  be  secured  by  fidelity  on  the  part  of  each 
individual  to  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom  alone  all  these  qualities  unite,  and 
by  which  the  Holy  Spirit  can  be  made  vital  and  effective  in  human 
lives.  The  service  was  truly  an  impressive  one.  Our  prayer  is  that  the 
Japanese  people  may  speedily  realize  that  pure,  enlightened  and 
righteous  character,  which  is  acceptable  to  Almighty  God,  the  Father 
of  us  all. 

The  great  event  of  the  year  for  the  School  and  Mission  was  the 
arrival,  on  October  19th,  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wm.  I.  Chamberlain  and  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  W.  Bancroft  Hill,  representing  the  home  boards.  They 
brought  us  inspiration  and  encouragement.  While  their  stay  was  all 
too  short,  they  were  able  to  give  us  two  days  before  entering  upon 
their  itinerary  through  the  several  fields.  They  were  able  to  see  some- 
thing of  Yokohama,  visit  Kamakura,  attend  two  receptions,  one  to  meet 
our  friends  of  the  community,  and  the  other  with  the  teachers  and 
pupils  of  the  school,  at  which,  after  a short  program  of  music  and 
recitations,  the  Principal  introduced  the  Deputation,  and  one  of  the 
pupils  gave  an  address  of  welcome  on  behalf  of  the  pupils,  and  Mr. 
Iwasa  gave  an  address  in  excellent  English.  The  members  of  the 
. Deputation  responded  with  inspiring  addresses.  The  visit  of  the  Depu- 
tation to  Japan  was  appropriately  and  profitably  concluded  in  Japan 
on  the  28th  and  30th  of  November  by  a communion  service  and  two 
days’  conference,  with  the  North  and  South  Japan  Missions  at  Shi- 
monoseki,  Miss  Kuyper  and  Mr.  Booth  being  among  the  delegates 
from  the  North  Japan  Mission  to  this  conference.  May  the  inspiration 
given  and  received  bear  golden  fruits  on  the  field,  and  ultimately  lead 
the  home  churches  to  realize,  as  they  have  never  done  before,  the 
magnitude  of  the  task  the  Boards  have  laid  upon  them  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  and  become  fully  persuaded  of  their  ability  to  place  the 
Boards  in  position  to  fully  meet  the  growing  needs  of  the  fields. 

While  deeply  regretting  that  the  funds  for  building  the  gymnasium 
could  not  have  been  raised  before  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Booth  leave  for  their 
furlough,  the  report  should  not  close  without  recognition  of  the  heroic 
efforts  made  by  the  Committee  representing  the  alumnae,  and  the 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  1,500.00  yen  now  in  hand  from  that 
source.  May  we  hear  from  those  who  believe  that  a healthy  and  well 
developed  body  is  the  best  instrument  for  a normal  and  well  developed 
mind,  and  may  wish  to  help  in  producing  these  conditions  for  the 
pupils  of  Ferris  Seminary.  When  the  calisthenium  materializes  our 
equipment  will  be,  for  the  first  time  in  our  history  of  forty-five  years, 
approximately  complete,  and  we  shall  be  better  able  than  ever  before 
to  keep  a judicious  balance  in  the  physical,  intellectual  and  spiritual 
training  we  are  endeavoring  to  give  our  pupils. 

We  are  very  happy  to  acknowledge  a generous  gift  of  twenty-five 
copies  each  of  a series  of  School  Readers  and  Drawing  Books,  etc.,  by 
Mr.  W.  J.  Gage,  a publisher  of  Toronto,  made  to  the  school  through 
Miss  Moulton.  Mr.  Gage  visited  the  school  some  years  ago,  and  this  is 
the  second  gift  of  the  kind  he  has  made  in  appreciation  of  the  work 


7 


he  saw  the  school  was  trying  to  do.  We  are  very  glad  to  have  these 
excellent  Canadian  readers,  for  the  variety  they  afford  the  pupils. 

Thankful  for  the  many  blessings  of  the  year  past,  for  the  substantial 
evidences  of  the  continued  interest  in  our  work  by  the  Boards  and  the 
Churches,  for  the  earnest  and  faithful  efforts  of  both  pupils  and  teach- 
ers, and  for  the  privilege  of  seeing  the  dawning  of  a new  hope  in  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  many  of  our  pupils,  this  report  is  very  respectfully 
submitted. 

Eugene  S.  Booth. 


MISS  KTIYPER’S  REPORT 

The  organized  Christian  activities  of  the  school  continue  to  be  car- 
ried on  as  heretofore  through  the  Y.  W.  C.  A. 

The  weekly  Thursday  afternoon  prayer-meeting  has  met  regularly. 
Once  a month  this  is  in  charge  of  the  pastor  of  the  Kaigan  Church, 
who  here  finds  opportunity  to  give  a pastoral  talk  to  the  girls.  Every 
other  week  the  girls  are  divided  into  groups  of  eight  or  nine;  these 
groups,  each  in  charge  of  an  older  Christian  girl,  meet  in  separate 
rooms  for  prayer.  This  has  had  good  results  in  bringing  them  closer 
together  and  in  rousing  in  the  older  girls  a deeper  interest  and  sense 
of  responsibility  for  the  younger  ones. 

The  Christian  Association  Week  of  Prayer  in  November  was  ob- 
served in  daily  prayer-meetings  after  school  hours.  There  was  a good 
attendance  and  an  earnest  spirit  was  manifest. 

At  the  national  Y.  W.  C.  A.  Summer  Conference  five  attended  as 
full  delegates  and  several  others  a part  of  the  time,  and  at  their  own 
charges.  The  reports  of  the  delegates  at  the  Thursday  afternoon 
prayer-meeting  were  full  of  enthusiasm  and  gave  expression  to  pur- 
poses of  deeper  consecration.  The  money  for  these  delegates’  expenses 
was  all  raised  by  the  girls  themselves — largely  the  proceeds  from  the 
sale  of  articles  they  had  made. 

The  six  neighborhood  Sunday-schools  have  been  carried  on  as  here- 
tofore. There  is  an  average  attendance  of  over  two  hundred.  We 
have  held  a weekly  Sunday-school  teachers’  meeting  for  the  study 
of  the  Sunday-school  lesson  and  for  planning  in  the  interest  of  these 
schools.  For  our  mutual  benefit  in  this  work  at  each  meeting  one  of 
the  Sunday-school  teachers  gave  a five-'minute  talk  on  “How  I Can 
Improve  My  Sunday-school.”  Some  excellent  suggestions  of  value  to 
all  were  given.  In  one  of  these  Sunday-school  neighborhoods  a 
woman’s  meeting  has  been  opened  by  my  helper.  Miss  Hirose,  which 
gives  promise  of  much  good.  She  also  makes  weekly  visits  to  one  of 
the  smaller  hospitals  in  the  city. 

The  Japanese  newspaper  of  Yokohama,  the  “Boeki  Shimbun,”  this 
year  again  carries  on  its  charitable  work  of  giving  at  New  Year’s  time 
a generous  donation  of  “mochi,”  which  is  the  special  food  for  the 
new  year,  to  all  the  poor  of  the  city.  This  is  done  in  a very  systematic 
way.  A complete  list  of  all  the  poor  is  obtained  from  the  city  office. 
Tickets  entitling  the  bearer  to  receive  this  “mochi”  at  a specified  time 
and  place  are  distributed  among  the  needy.  From  this  newspaper 


8 


office  requests  were  made  to  all  the  girls’  schools  in  Yokohama  to  send 
nine  girls  each  to  distribute  tickets.  Thus  also  a representation  of 
nine  girls  went  from  our  school  to  assist  in  this.  The  extreme  poverty, 
distress  and  suffering  they  saw  made  a deep  impression  on  them;  a 
condition  such  as  they  said  they  would  not  have  believed  existed  had 
they  not  seen  it  with  their  own  eyes  and  they  realized  how  much  they 
had  to  be  thankful  for.  Those  who  had  also  gone  on  the  same  mission 
last  year  said  the  conditions  this  year  were  somewhat  improved,  but 
were  still  serious.  Tracts  they  found  practically  useless  as  very  few 
of  them  could  read.  We  feel  that  this  newspaper  has  done  more  than 
relieve  distress  by  giving  to  our  girls,  as  well  as  to  the  others,  an 
insight  into  the  misery  and  need  of  their  own  people,  which  we  trust 
will  be  to  them  a very  earnest  call  to  active  Christian  service. 

Sundays  are  rather  full  days;  besides  attendance  at  two  church 
services,  I have  had  three  Bible  classes.  A young  men’s  Bible  class 
held  in  connection  with  the  Kaigan  Church  Sunday-school  has  been 
fairly  well  attended,  but  very  little  spiritual  interest  has  been  manifest. 
The  attendance  at  a class  for  some  of  our  former  pupils  still  living  in 
the  city  has  been  very  irregular  and  therefore  somewhat  discouraging. 
A Bible  class  for  the  Japanese  lady  teachers  in  the  school  has  been 
all  the  more  inspiring.  The  results  of  their  study  were  encouragingly 
shown  at  the  end  of  the  year  in  the  excellent  short  talks  they  gave  on 
previously  assigned  subjects  in  connection  with  the  course  studied. 

A never-to-be-forgotten  service  was  the  baptismal  and  communion 
service  at  the  Kaigan  Church  on  Sunday,  November  7th,  when  sixty-two 
(57  adults  and  5 children)  received  baptism;  among  these  were  nine 
of  our  girls;  five  more  received  baptism  the  next  Sunday  at  other 
Churches.  It  was  a day  of  rejoicing  and  a tremendously  earnest  call 
to  put  forth  greater  efforts  for  the  upbuilding  as  well  as  to  upbringing 
of  souls  into  the  Kingdom,  a call  for  maintaining,  and  not  for  retrench- 
ing in  our  work. 

The  privilege  of  being  one  of  the  delegates  of  our  mission  at  the 
Union  Conference  of  the  Missions  with  the  Deputation  held  at  Shi- 
monoseki  gave  me  opportunity  on  my  return  trip  to  visit  three  girls’ 
mission  schools  of  other  denominations.  This  was  full  of  interest  and 
gave  me  a deepened  appreciation  of  what  our  own  school  is  doing,  as 
well  as  showing  along  what  lines  others  are  doing  effective  work. 

Jennie  M.  Ktjyper. 


MISS  JANET  GUTMANS’  REPORT 

I have  been  asked  to  give  my  impressions  of  Ferris  Seminary,  since 
this  is  my  first  year  in  the  school.  My  impressions  are  now  three 
months  old,  but  even  then,  they  are  fresh  enough  In  my  mind  to  be 
new  ones. 

For  some  time  previous  to  my  entering  into  teaching  at  Ferris 
Seminary,  I had  been  looking  forward  to  it,  for  the  most  part,  with 
pleasure,  but  some  times,  I must  confess,  with  a little  dread.  I had 
little  idea  how  Japanese  girls  conducted  themselves  as  pupils,  and  I 
had  as  vague  an  idea  how  to  conduct  myself  before  them.  I felt  more 


9 


like  a pupil  myself,  because  there  would  be  so  much  that  I would 
have  to  learn,  to  teach  them.  How  I wished  the  first  week  or  two 
were  over!  And  still  when  I did  begin  my  teaching,  I found  it  not 
nearly  as  trying  as  I had  expected  it  to  be.  How  could  I ever  have 
thought  that  all  Japanese  girls  looked  and  acted  alike?  I find  it  quite 
as  interesting  to  study  the  little  differences  in  their  manners  and  speech 
as  the  teaching  itself. 

Then  each  class  has  a certain  esprit  de  corps,  which  makes  it  inter- 
esting to  view  each  class  as  a collective  body.  There  seems  to  be  a 
strong  class  feeling.  Although  girls  of  different  classes  mingle  freely 
and  are  on  friendly  terms  with  each  other,  still  they  like  to  clique 
together  as  class  groups.  Of  course,  this  is  quite  natural,  as  girls  of 
the  same  class  have  mutual  interests,  which  are  quite  enough  to  draw 
them  together. 

It  is  very  interesting  to  watch  the  girls  when  they  are  outside  of 
class.  During  the  noon  hour  they  walk  about  the  garden.  The  younger 
girls  often  play  games  and  run  about  on  the  lawn,  while  the  older 
ones  cluster  together  in  a sunny  corner  or  walk  up  and  down  the  paths 
in  groups. 

In  the  classroom  I find  the  girls  attentive,  interested  in  their  lessons 
and  ready  to  respond.  There  are  differences,  of  course.  How  easy  it 
is  to  tell  which  is  eager  and  ready  to  answer  questions,  and  which  will 
have  to  be  coaxed  to  do  so!  Still  they  all  seem  anxious  to  do  well  in 
English.  It  is  so  nice  to  have  an  appreciative  class,  and  the  very  fact 
that  they  try  makes  the  class  work  interesting.  Having  been  here  only 
a term  I do  not  know  the  girls  very  well,  but  it  seems  to  me  they  are 
docile,  obedient  and  easily  disciplined  girls.  The  whole  atmosphere  of 
the  school  is  one  of  pleasant  activity  and  the  routine  of  the  school 
days  runs  in  a cheerful,  orderly  way. 

These  are  a few  of  my  impressions  which  I hope  will  be  lasting 
ones.  And  I know  I shall  always  look  back  upon  my  first  few  weeks 
at  Ferris  Seminary  with  the  most  pleasant  remembrance. 

C.  Janet  Oltmans. 


AOMORI 

During  the  year  we  have  continued  our  five  neighborhood  Sunday- 
schools — two  in  the  city  of  Aomori  and  three  in  neighboring  villages. 
We  are  starting  a school  at  Daishaka,  a new  village. 

I have  had  nine  stereopticon  meetings  in  villages  where  the  Gospel 
had  not  before  been  preached.  My  former  dwelling  opened  on  the 
street,  and  during  the  spring  and  summer  we  threw  open  the  doors  in 
the  evenings,  and  held  meetings  in  the  house.  A number  gave  in  their 
names  as  inquirers.  The  “new  house”  was  all  completed  by  November 
1st,  and  I moved  in  on  that  day.  I consider  it  an  honor  that  my  very 
first  guests  were  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Chamberlain. 

Once  more  I wish  to  send  my  sincere  thanks  to  all  the  kind  donors 
who  have  helped  to  build  this  cosy  little  house.  Now,  when  I return 
from  the  villages,  tired  and  cold,  there  is  a comfortable  little  home  to 


10 


MISS  WINN'S  HOUSE. 


ONE  OF  MISS  WINN’S  SCHOOLS. 


come  to.  Only  those  of  us  who  have  lived  for  years  in  cold,  cheerless 
native  houses,  can  fully  appreciate  the  comforts  of  such  a home,  so  God 
bless  and  reward  you!  When  the  house  was  completed  we  gave  an 
evening  to  the  carpenters,  masons,  painters,  etc.  Thirty-five  came. 
We  gave  them  each  a New  Testament,  and  served  tea  and  cake.  It  was 
a social  gathering  long  to  be  remembered. 

A number  of  young  men  have  come  to  me  for  English  Bibles; 
among  them  is  a Mr.  Yamamoto,  a teacher  in  one  of  the  largest  public 
schools  in  the  city.  Just  before  Christmas  he  surprised  me  by  request- 
ing me  to  come  to  his  school  and  speak  to  his  class  of  boys.  He  said, 
‘‘Tell  them  about  Jesus  Christ  and  about  how  you  celebrate  Christmas 
in  your  country.”  He  assured  me  that  the  principal  had  given  his  con- 
sent. I spoke  to  over  a hundred  boys  about  the  ages  of  twelve  and 
thirteen — just  the  impressionable  age.  I felt  it  a wonderful  oppor- 
tunity. Such  opportunities  are  coming  to  us  constantly  these  days.  It 
is  a cause  for  gratitude  to  see  the  walls  of  prejudice  come  down.  God 
grant  that  we  may  be  able  to  meet  these  many  opportunities.  We  enter 
upon  the  new  year  with  hope  and  courage.,  praying  that  ere  long  the 
Gospel  may  reach  every  village  and  hamlet  of  this  Empire. 

« M.  Leila  Winn. 


MATSUMOTO 


In  spite  of  much  tvhich  has  been  discouraging,  Mrs.  WyckofE  has 
continued  to  sow  the  seed,  which  will  one  day  have  fruit.  She  writes 
that  her  work  is  the  same  as  last  year.  She  has  had  three  monthly 
woman’s  meetings, at  Nagano,  Kama  sua  and  Ina.  She  also  has  a 
weekly  meeting  at  Matsumoto.  On  Mondays  she  has  two  classes  of  girls 
and  four  classes  of  young  men,  one  of  whom  is  an  inquirer.  She  has 
also  gained  entrance  into  the  government  schools  of  the  city,  and  has 
spoken  to  the  pupils,  and  entertained  them  with  her  Victrola.  Several 
Sunday-schools  are  carried  on  in  Matsumoto  and  neighboring  towns. 

Mrs.  Wyckoff’s  helper  has  been  ill  a great  deal,  and  this  has  been 
a great  handicap,  but  we  trust  better  times  are  coming.  ‘‘Be  ye 
steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  for 
as  much  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.” 

Mbs.  M.  N.  Wyckoff. 


12 


SOUTH  JAPAN  MISSION 


SHINONOSEKI 


REPORT  OF  THE  BAIKO  JO  GAKUIN  (STURGES  SEMINARY) 
FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDING  DECEMBER  31,  1915 

The  year  1915,  the  second  year  of  the  New  Union  School  at 
Shimonoseki,  has  come  to  its  close.  It  has  had  its  disappointments 
and  its  trials,  but  we  feel  that,  on  the  whole,  we  have  great  reason 
to  thank  God  for  the  many  blessings  it  has  contained  and  to  enter 
the  new  year  with  courage  and-  strength.  Although  there  has  been 
serious  illness  among  the  members  of  the  faculty,  and  the  head 
teacher  resigned  because  of  ill-health,  death  has  not  entered  our 
ranks,  and  the  health  of  the  students  has  been  unusually  good.  The 
present  faculty,  in  addition  to  the  four  foreign  ladies,  consists  of 
twelve  Japanese  teachers,  five  men  and  seven  women.  Of  these  eight 
are  professing  Christians  and  two  are  studying  the  Bible  with  a view 
to  receiving  baptism. 

We  entered  the  year  with  95 — we  close  with  130 — 98  in  the  regular 
course.  Fifteen  united  with  the  Church  on  confession  of  their  faith, 
four  having  been  baptized  in  childhood.  This  brings  our  present  num- 
ber of  Christians  up  to  56 — 41  of  whom  are  in  the  dormitory.  This 
Is,  of  course,  not  our  ideal  number,  but  we  feel  grateful  that  there  are 
so  many.  Miss  Hironaka  has  been  greatly  used  of  God  in  bringing 
about  a deeper  spiritual  life  among  the  students  and  we  look  forward 
to  the  new  year  with  anticipation  of  still  greater  blessings. 

The  school  is  gradually  conquering  the  prejudice  of  the  community 
and  making  its  own  reputation.  The  parents’  meetings  add  greatly 
toward  this  end.  Fathers  and  mothers,  or  older  brothers,  come  and 
discuss  those  things  which  are  of  interest  to  the  school  and  to  the 
education  of  their  daughters  and  sisters.  There  are  addresses  by  the 
teachers  and  a general  exchange  of  ideas,  after  which  a few  girls  fur- 
nish some  music,  while  others  serve  tea  and  cakes.  The  change  in  the 
attitude  of  the  local  press,  this  year,  was  noticeable.  Articles  favor- 
able to  the  school  appeared  at  the  beginning  of  the  school  year,  and 
undoubtedly  assisted  in  giving  us  a good  entering  class. 

The  school  is  always  known  as  a distinctly  Christian  school.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  school  year,  the  principal,  in  his  opening  re- 
marks, impresses  upon  the  new  students  the  fact  that  the  purpose  of 
this  school  is  to  produce  intelligent  women  of  good  Christian  character. 
Several  notable  speakers  also  have,  during  this  year,  addressed  the 
students  on  this  subject,  and  pointed  out  this  difference  between 
Mission  and  Government  schools. 

In  March  a class  of  seven  was  graduated,  all  former  students  of 
Sturges  Seminary  in  Nagasaki,  and  all  Christians.  Two  are  assisting 
in  the  Sunday-school  work  in  the  Oita  and  Kagoshima  stations.  One 


13 


UNION  SCHOOL  AT  SHIMONOSEKI. 


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JAPANESE  NATIONAL  ANTHEM. 


was  graduated  from  the  special  course.  Although  she  was  a Christian 
at  heart,  she  could  not  obtain  her  parents’  consent  to  openly  confessing 
her  faith.  We  understand  that  since  her  marriage  she  has. had  this  joy. 

Since  many  of  the  day  pupils  could  not  attend  the  C.  E.  Society 
on  Sunday,  the  time  of  the  meetings  was  changed  to  Monday  morning 
directly  at  the  close  of  lessons.  The  increased  attendance  and  growing 
interest  give  evidence  of  the  wisdom  of  this  choice. 

On  November  10th  the  long  looked  for  Coronation  of  His  Majesty 
the  Emperor  took  place  and  Sturges  Seminary  also  held  appropriate 
exercises  and  planted  a beautiful  Sago  palm  as  a Commemoration 
tree.  One  hundred  and  thirty-nine  trees  of  various  kinds,  the  gift  of 
a Christian  friend,  head  of  the  Forestry  Department  of  Korea,  whose 
daughter  is  in  attendance  at  our  school,  were  also  planted  as  Com- 
memoration trees.  This  gift,  and  others  of  like  nature,  although  not  so 
extensive,  greatly  assist  in  beautifying  the  grounds. 

The  growth  of  the  Music  Department  made  another  piano  a neces- 
sity and  a very  good  one  was  obtained  at  a moderate  cost.  This  is  a 
great  pleasure  and  enables  several  more  students  to  avail  themselves 
of  piano  instruction. 

The  year  1915  will  long  be  memorable  because  of  the  visits  of  the 
two  Deputations.  Dr.  Speer  and  party  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  made 
us  a short  visit  in  June,  and  our  own  Deputation,  consisting  of  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Chamberlain,  and  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hill,  were  with  us  in  November. 
They  were  four  happy  days  of  fellowship  and  inspiration,  which  will 
not  be  forgotten.  We  felt  their  deep  and  sincere  sympathy  with  all 
that  concerned  the  school.  Mrs.  Chamberlain  completely  won  the 
hearts  of  the  boarding  pupils  by  her  address  on  Sunday  evening.  She 
inspired  them  to  be  nobler  women,  courageous  in  everything  that  was 
high,  pure,  true,  honorable,  lovely  and  of  good  report.  As  we  bade 
them  farewell  and  saw  their  steamer  recede  in  the  darkness,  we  felt 
that  we  were  saying  farewell  not  to  the  Deputation,  but  to  dear  friends 
— friends,  indeed,  who  will  bind  us  and  the  school  more  closely  to 
our  home  churches  and  the  Boards  than  ever  before. 

The  crowning  event  of  the  year  is  Christmas.  A Christmas  Cantata 
formed  a large  part  of  the  programme  this  year,  and  the  entire  enter- 
tainment was  pronounced  by  a Missionary  of  twenty-five  years’  experi- 
ence, as  the  best  he  had  ever  seen  in  Japan;  dignified,  intelligible  and 
well  executed — the  honor  of  which  is  due  in  large  part  to  Miss  Noord- 
hoff  and  her  excellent  training  of  the  chorus  week  by  week.  The  num- 
ber of  guests  was  greater  than  last  year  and,  owing  to  the  inadequate 
chapel  accommodations,  which  we  have,  two  classes  of  girls  were 
obliged  to  leave  their  places  and  make  room  for  the  guests.  One,  a 
man  of  middle  age,  was  so  interested  in  the  programme  that  he  kept  a 
lady  near  him  busy  explaining  the  various  characters  in  the  Cantata. 
He  seemed  very  much  interested  and  impressed  with  the  Christmas 
story.  To  many  of  the  guests  and  students  this  was  their  first  Christmas. 

For  some  years  there  has  been  a feeling  on  the  part  of  some  that 
the  students  should  be  taught  the  importance  of  giving  of  their  own  at 
Christmas  time  to  those  less  fortunate  than  themselves.  This  year  it 
was  again  suggested  and  the  Principal,  looking  favorably  upon  it. 


15 


addressed  the  girls  on  the  subject  early  in  the  week.  On  Christmas 
eve  he  told  the  audience  about  the  poor  in  Christ’s  own  country  and 
proposed  presenting  at  this  time  our  gifts  to  the  Christ  whose  birth  we 
had  celebrated,  through  an  offering  for  the  needy  ones  in  Palestine. 
Four  girls  then  passed  prettily  decorated  baskets  through  the  audience 
and  to  the  surprise  and  joy  of  all  $38.00  was  received. 

The  Sunday-school  conducted  by  Miss  Noordhoff  and  her  helper  and 
one  or  two  of  the  girls,  has  flourished  in  spite  of  many  hindrances  and 
trials.  On  an  average  sixty  attend  each  Sunday.  The  Christmas  was 
well  attended,  100  being  present. 

As  we  look  back  over  the  year  and  see  a little  improvement  here 
and  there;  see  girls  who  are  sincerely  making  an  effort  to  live  the 
Master’s  life  and  being  victorious  through  Him;  see  others  definitely 
take  their  stand  under  His  banner,  although  they  know  it  will  not  be 
an  easy  way  to  travel  after  they  leave  school;  we  take  heart  and  thank 
Him  that  we  may  have  some  share,  however  small,  in  this  great  work 
of  His  Kingdom. 

Jennie  A.  Pieters, 
Jeane  Noordhoff. 


NAGASAKI 

The  work  of  the  year  has  largely  been  a continuation  of  that 
begun  in  1914.  It  has  always  been  a source  of  gratitude  that  the 
relation  between  our  church  in  Nagasaki  and  the  resident  missionaries 
has  been  so  cordial,  and  we  are  especially  thankful  that  since  taking 
up  evangelistic  work  this  cordiality  has  continued. 

Last  year  when  we  began  our  work  the  church  was  without  a 
pastor,  and  the  special  opportunity  thus  given  us  to  work  among  the 
women  has  not  been  lessened  by  the  coming  of  the  new  pastor  and 
his  wife,  who  arrived  near  the  close  of  last  year. 

We  rejoice  to  see  among  the  church  members  a growing  desire  for 
the  salvation  of  others.  In  the  bi-weekly  Woman’s  Meeting  of  the 
church,  which  is  held  in  the  homes  of  the  members,  it  is  a joy  to  see 
the  freedom  and  earnestness  manifested  by  the  women. 

On  Easter  Sunday  fourteen  applicants  were  received  into  the 
church,  and  on  the  Sunday  following  Christmas,  thirty-seven.  Only 
a very  few  of  these  can  possibly  be  regarded  as  results  of  our  indi- 
vidual work.  A large  number  were  Steele  Academy  students,  and 
nearly  all  of  the  rest  may  be  called  fruits  of  the  work  of  the  church, 
which,  although  now  independent,  was  established  by  our  Mission. 

Miss  Tomegawa  has  continued  her  work  with  me,  although  for 
reasons  of  health  she  was  given  a prolonged  vacation  in  the  summer, 
the  results  of  wrhich  were  very  satisfactory.  Miss  Tachino,  who  gradu- 
ated this  year  from  Sturges  Seminary,  came  to  help  us  in  May,  and 
has  given  valuable  assistance  in  the  Sunday-schools  and  in  sending  out 
our  little  monthly  paper. 

The  three  Sunday-schools  have  been  kept  up  during  the  year.  The 
oldest  had  a total  enrollment  of  86,  with  an  average  attendance  of  33; 


16 


the  next,  enrollment  70,  average  22,  and  the  youngest  71  enrolled,  with 
an  average  of  17.  The  low  average  is  easily  accounted  for  by  lack  of 
room,  lack  of  teachers,  and  the  class  of  children  which  attend.  To 
this  must  be  added  the  activity  of  the  Buddhists  in  Sunday-school  work 
in  this  city,  and  the  fact  that  almost  all  the  children  who  come  are 
subjected  to  ridicule.  The  children  of  two  of  these  schools  met  to- 
gether for  their  Christmas  exercises  in  our  church.  We  gave  out  130 
bags  of  cake,  twenty  more  than  last  year.  Each  child  regularly  en- 
rolled received  a small  gift,  varying  with  the  degree  of  regularity  of 
attendance.  Two  children  had  not  been  absent  once  and,  of  course, 
received  the  nicest  gifts.  Two  days  later  the  other  school,  which  is 
held  across  the  bay,  in  the  home  of  a Christian,  had  its  celebration,  and 
twenty-five  children  were  present.  There  were  two  in  this  school  also 
who  had  not  missed  one  meeting.  Our  thanks,  as  well  as  those  of  the 
children,  are  due  to  the  members  of  the  Sewing  Guild  for  their  gener- 
osity in  providing  the  gifts. 

In  one  home  the  bi-weekly  Woman’s  Bible  Class,  led  by  Miss 
Tomegawa,  has  been  well  attended,  and  the  Sturges  Alumnae  have 
continued  to  hold  their  meetings  here.  Considerable  time  has  been 
spent  in  calling,  and  regular  instruction  has  been  given  in  the  homes  of 
some  women,  while  others  have  come  to  us.  Some  teaching  of  English 
has  been  done  on  condition  that  this  be  followed  by  a Bible  lesson.  One 
such  pupil  who  began  shortly  before  summer  with,  as  far  as  we  know, 
only  a desire  for  English,  will  probably  be  baptized  in  the  Spring. 

Since  April  I have  been  going  once  a month  to  Sasebo  to  attend  the 
Woman’s  Meeting  there.  This  is  a Naval  Station,  and  as  the  wives  of 
the  Naval  Officers  are  usually  intelligent,  and  often  have  much  leisure 
time,  the  opportunity  for  woman’s  work  is  large.  The  December  meet- 
ing was  held  in  the  beautiful  new  church,  which  was  made  possible 
by  the  gift  of  friends  in  America.  Several  former  pupils  of  Sturges 
live  in  Sasebo  and  I always  look  forward  to  meeting  them.  One  of 
these,  a professing  Christian  with  a non-Christian  husband,  never 
comes  to  the  Sunday  services,  but  rarely  misses  coming  to  hear  me 
when  I speak,  and  almost  always  comes  to  the  station  to  see  me 
off.  And  this,  I feel  sure,  is  not  simply  love  for  me,  individually;  it  is 
because  I am  a link  between  her  and  the  school  where  she  spent  so 
many  happy  days  long  ago. 

Miss  Mizota,  the  Sturges  graduate,  who  entered  the  Bible  Training 
School  of  the  Woman’s  Union  Missionary  Society  in  Yokohama  last 
year,  seems  to  be  making  good  progress  and  to  be  developing  spiritu- 
ally. This  year  another  former  pupil  entered  the  same  school,  but  she 
is  not  receiving  assistance  from  our  Mission. 

At  the  close  of  last  year  I wrote  of  our  little  monthly  paper,  then 
only  three  months  old.  Its  growth  has  been  in  fair  proportion  to  its 
age.  In  December,  1914,  we  sent  out  a little  over  400  copies  and  in 
December,  1915,  about  800.  The  total  expense  for  the  year  was  Yen 
153.95%  ($76.48),  of  which  we  have  received  Yen  47.33%  (a  little  less 
than  one-third)  from  95  of  those  to  whom  the  paper  is  sent.  These 
contributions  mean  to  us  far  more  than  the  money  value,  for  we  believe 
they  stand,  in  most  instances,  for  a grateful  interest  in  what  we  are,  by 


17 


God’s  help,  trying  to  do  through  the  paper.  We  have  also  had,  espe- 
cially toward  the  close  of  the  year,  many  kind  letters  of  appreciation. 
While  it  was  intended  primarily  for  girls  and  women,  we  have  found 
many  men  as  well,  interested  in  it.  An  uncle  of  Miss  Tomegawa,  living 
in  Tokyo,  himself  not  a Christian,  asked  to  have  several  copies  sent 
to  him  that  he  might  give  them  to  his  friends.  A former  Sturges 
sewing  teacher  to  whom  the  paper  had  regularly  gone,  died  last 
autumn,  but  her  husband  wrote  asking  us  please  to  continue  to  send 
it  to  him.  In  a recent  letter  of  thanks  from  a reader  were  the  words, 
"The  whole  family,  including  my  husband,  enjoy  it.” 

In  Moji  one  woman,  who  at  first  had  no  interest  in  Christianity, 
has  become  an  inquirer  through  reading  the  paper.  Many  write  us 
of  passing  their  copy  on  to  others  to  read. 

We  have  had  many  causes  for  gratitude  during  this  year,  and 
among  them  the  visit  of  the  Deputation  with  the  pleasure  and  inspira- 
tion it  brought,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 

The  year’s  work  has  not  been  done  as  ideally  as  we  hoped  when 
the  year  was  young,  but  we  leave  it  with  Him  whose  power  is  great 
enough  to  use  our  weakness;  and  with  faith  and  trust  in  Him,  enter 
another  year  of  opportunity. 

Saka  M.  Couch. 


KAGOSHIMA 


The  past  year  has  been  one  of  great  changes.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  year  we  had  three  assistants,  Bible  women,  as  we  call  them,  and 
we  all  looked  forward  to  a year  of  working  together  for  the  Master, 
and  hoped  to  accomplish  great  things.  Early  in  January  one  of  the 
women  was  taken  ill  with  typhoid  fever,  and  went  to  the  hospital  for 
treatment.  She  was  ill  for  weeks,  yes,  months,  and  as  it  was  thought 
she  would  recuperate  much  faster  if  she  went  to  her  home,  in  July 
she  returned  to  Yokohama.  We  were  sorry  to  part  with  her.  Then 
in  April  another  helper  was  married,  and  went  to  a Southern  Island 
to  live.  She  married  a minister,  a fine  Christian  worker,  and  we  know 
they  are  doing  a grand  work,  but  we  miss  her.  We  have  been  trying 
to  find  two  new  helpers,  but  have  not  been  able  to.  Somehow  Bible 
women  are  scarce.  So,  from  March  we  have  had  only  one  helper,  and 
have  not  accomplished  all  we  had  planned  to  do.  The  opportunities 
have  been  many,  and  we  have  tried  to  do  a little — have  tried  to  seize 
some  of  them.  We  continue  to  hold  our  Sunday-school  in  three  ses- 
sions, the  highest  attendance  has  been  303;  the  Tuesday  School  80, 
and  the  Thursday  School  175.  We  are  so  short  of  teachers  that  we 
cannot  do  justice  to  this  work.  Many  of  the  classes  are  too  large. 
We  continue  to  hold  our  semi-monthly  meeting  for  women.  Our 
highest  attendance  at  this  meeting  has  been  twenty.  We  have  access 
to  more  than  thirty  homes,  and  many  of  these  women  are  being 
regularly  instructed  in  God’s  Word.  We  usually  do  our  calling  in  the 
mornings,  as  the  women  seem  to  have  more  leisure  then. 


18 


I have  had  some  sixty  young  men,  mostly  students,  come  to  me 
for  Bible  Study.  Some  come  once,  and  some  twice  a week.  These 
Bible  Classes  are  held  in  the  afternoon  or  evenings,  according  to  the 
convenience  of  the  young  men,  and  when  I can  teach  them.  Some 
months  I have  had  as  many  as  forty  Bible  Classes.  I have  had  quite 
a number  of  individual  classes,  and  somehow  I like  them  the  best. 
About  the  1st  of  November  some  college  students  called  on  me.  There 
were  five  of  them.  One  was  a graduate  of  a High  School  in  this  city, 
and  I had  met  him  before.  He  had  been  to  the  house  two  or  three 
times  to  sing  English  songs,  and  seemed  to  be  very  much  opposed  to 
Christianity.  I supposed  they  had  come  to  practice  their  English,  and 
after  we  had  talked  about  various  things,  this  young  man  asked  if  I 
would  please  talk  to  them  about  Christianity.  He  said  that  while  he 
was  a student  of  the  High  School  he  could  not  be  a Christian,  but  now 
he  could  do  as  he  pleased,  and  he  desired  to  be  a Christian.  One  of 
the  other  students  said  that  he  had  studied  Buddhism  and  it  did  not 
satisfy  him.  He  also  wished  to  be  a Christian.  Six  of  these  young 
men  are  coming  once  a week  for  Bible  study.  During  the  year  three 
young  men  have  turned  to  the  Lord.  One  has  received  baptism,  and  I 
am  praying  that  all  who  hear  the  Word  will  turn  to  God. 

Our  work  at  the  Factory  Boarding  House  has  been  kept  up  all 
through  the  year.  We  are  only  able  to  hold  a monthly  meeting  there, 
and  so  do  not  come  in  very  close  touch  with  the  girls.  There  have  been 
sixty  girls  in  the  boarding  house,  but  now,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of 
thread,  there  are  only  forty.  They  always  give  us  a warm  welcome, 
but  as  yet  have  not  come  out  on  the  Lord’s  side.  On  Christmas  they 
all  came  up  for  their  Annual  Christmas  Entertainment  and  seemed  to 
enjoy  it. 

This  report  would  not  be  complete  if  I did  not  tell  you  about  our 
Sunday-school  Christmas  gathering.  About  320  children  and  some 
twenty  adults  gathered  here  on  Christmas  afternoon.  Our  Sunday- 
school  room  was  packed.  The  children  had  an  interesting  program, 
and  all  seemed  to  enjoy  it.  We  had  the  three  schools  together,  as  the 
attendance  the  latter  part  of  the  year  had  fallen  off  considerably,  but 
we  found  that  our  place  was  too  small  for  such  a crowd,  as  we  should 
like  to  invite  the  parents  to  come. 

We  all  enjoyed  the  visit  of  the  Deputation,  but  it  was  too  short 
for  us.  We  hope  the  next  Deputation  will  plan  to  stay  longer  in  Japan. 
We  are  thankful  for  the  work  we  have  been  able  to  do,  but  desire  to 
do  greater  and  better  work  in  the  year  to  come.  We  are  praying  for 
reinforcements.  We  have  a place  for  six  young  women,  and  we  hope 
that  number  will  soon  come.  May  your  prayers  unite  with  ours,  that 
God’s  richest  blessing  will  be  with  us. 

Harriet  M.  Lansing. 


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